The Republican Party's Worst Nightmare-The GOP Is Losing Western Support

[RamboLiberal]

Four Corners Monument: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah --

It is at this out-of-the-way tourist spot on Navajo land where Democratic dreams can be seen all at once.

If Democrats' hopes are realized in 2008 and they win Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, they pick off a total of 24 electoral votes -- more than Ohio, more than Pennsylvania.

That may have seemed a pipe dream a few years ago. But Democratic gains in the Inner Mountain states have party strategists drooling. In 2000, these eight states had not one Democratic governor among them. Today there are five.

If a Democratic presidential candidate can tap into what Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano have tapped into, the race would clearly not just come down to Ohio or Florida as it did in 2004 and 2000.

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Vote2008/story?id=3826860&page=1

[Arugula Latte]

1. Ultimately, we might look back and say "They" won the battle (for the South) but

lost the country as a whole...Now, wouldn't that be sweet. :)

[Clark2008]

11. Republicans are still far more popular in the Great Plains states than

in the South. Tennessee's governor is a Dem... so is Kentucky's, but Indiana just voted in a Republican over an incumbent Dem.

Sorry to interuppt this misinformed Southern-bashing. :hi:

[Arugula Latte]

15. I wasn't really bashing the South ...

Mississippi Republicans had a good day yesterday, as well.

[NMDemDist2]

2. woohoo

:woohoo:

I'm working to make it happen too !!!

[OKNancy]

3. I KNOW you are.

If McCain isn't the nominee, I think we will get Arizona, Colorado, and of course New Mexico.
Also, if Senator Clinton is the nominee we pick up Arkansas and Missouri. I also think we pick up Virginia with anyone. I predict 318 electoral votes without counting Ohio or Florida.

[Arugula Latte]

4. At this point, I think McCain being the nominee is a huge longshot.

I think we're lookin' at 9-11Rudy, or possibly Willard "Mitt" Dog Torturer.

[NMDemDist2]

7. hey you!

:hi:

[Clark2008]

12. I don't think she'll get Arkansas and Missouri or Virginia.

And, I worry she'll cause us to lose Michigan and Pennsylvania.

:scared:

[dbackjon]

5. Arizona went Clinton in 1996

We will go blue again in 2008.

[Alexander]

10. Don't be so sure.

AZ gave a smaller percentage of the vote to Kerry in 2004 than it did to Gore in 2000.

Janet Napolitano's a good governor and we elected Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords. But statewide, we still have a ways to go.

[gratuitous]

6. I'm in favor of it

It's been highly depressing the last several election cycles to tune in for the returns. There's a mix of red and blue as the eastern states check in, then as soon as the Central and Mountain Time Zones close the polls to watch that big spine of Republican Red run down the middle of the country from North Dakota to Texas and begin spreading westward to the Pacific Coast states.

Seeing a few blue thumbs stick out of that large land mass (though admittedly small portion of population save for Texas), and better yet, seeing a patch of the Four Corners States connect with California, Oregon and Washington, would be a most cheering sight for good-hearted people everywhere.

[troubleinwinter]

8. I'm in Arizona. In 2006, republican acquaintances told me McCaine was very lucky to not be running

for senator in that election, as he would not win.

At the 4th of July parade in our city, the car full of Dems with their hand-made signs got huge applause and cheers. The shiney repub car with their glossy professionally made signs got not much more than an bare acknowlegement.

MY *&^%**#!! (R) congressman was about to be indicted... so the USAG who was investigating him was fired in the DOJ purge.

[Alexander]

9. McCain wouldn't have won AZ in 2006? Really?

Kyl won over Pederson pretty easily, and he doesn't have the legendary status McCain has.

[Alter Ego]

13. Didn't Hayworth get trampled in AZ though?

I realize that's only one district, but Arizona's not so heavily populated that it doesn't make a difference...

[Alexander]

14. Yes he did - in the East Valley, by the barest of margins.

The AP didn't call it until over a week later.

I live in his district. It covers Scottsdale and Tempe. The rest of the Phoenix suburbs are pretty red.

You have a point though, we are making headway. Gabrielle Giffords also won in Tucson - she took Jim Kolbe's old seat.